Quick Shots: Northern Illinois sets, meets a new standard

NIU is deservedly held to higher standards after winning back-to-back MAC titles and reaching the Orange Bowl, so even a 3-0 start was mildly disappointing after the Huskies had to rally from behind all three times. But today, NIU surpassed all expectations by demolishing Purdue 55-24 to become the first MAC team to beat t...

NIU is deservedly held to higher standards after winning back-to-back MAC titles and reaching the Orange Bowl, so even a 3-0 start was mildly disappointing after the Huskies had to rally from behind all three times. But today, NIU surpassed all expectations by demolishing Purdue 55-24 to become the first MAC team to beat two Big Ten teams in one season and scored 14 more points than any MAC team had ever done vs. the Big Ten.

The Huskies sparked controversy last year when they were the first team with a loss to bust the BCS. That shouldn’t be a problem this year; if the Huskies make it back, it will be with a 13-0 record. With the talent they showed at Purdue, and the grit they showed in the comebacks against Iowa, Idaho and Eastern Illinois, my expectation is that they will go at least 11-1, if not 13-0. The two biggest obstacles left are at Toledo on Nov. 20 and the MAC title game, which has come down to the final play three years in a row for NIU.

NL a rookie league

The American League has beaten the NL in interleague play for 10 years in a row, but that decade of dominance may soon change, thanks to an amazing crop of NL rookies, led by Marlin pitcher Jose Fernandez and Dodger outfielder Yasiel Puig. My favorite stat of the baseball season is that Fernandez has batted higher (.220) than the batters who have face him (.182).

Notre Dame’s Kelly overrated coach

Notre Dame’s five-year contract extension last month for Brian Kelly resembles the Irish giving Charlie Weis a 10-year extension halfway through the first year of his original six-year deal. Kelly had one good year in his first three seasons, and that season ended by trailing 28-0 at the half in the BCS title game. His tenure also featured a student killed filming practice, the Manti Te’o fake girlfriend scandal, the star quarterback getting kicked out of school for cheating and the star QB recruit transferring.

Kelly is better than Weis, but he’s no Urban Meyer. The Irish are 3-2, barely beat a Purdue team that NIU demolished and needed four pass interference penalties, at least two of them highly controversial, to squeak past Michigan State.